Search results for "Support beam covers" in Home Design Ideas

Detached covered patio made of custom milled cypress which is durable and weather-resistant.
Amenities include a full outdoor kitchen, masonry wood burning fireplace and porch swing.

This cozy white traditional kitchen was redesigned to provide an open concept feel to the dining area. The dark wood ceiling beams, clear glass cabinet doors, Bianco Sardo granite countertops and white subway tile backsplash unite the quaint space.

Large transitional galley ceramic tile and brown floor wet bar photo in Minneapolis with white walls, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray backsplash and gray countertops
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New Additions to Hoover + Hill
This project is a continuation of the renovation and updating work Flavin Architects had previously completed at the 1958 Wales house, designed by architect Henry Hoover and Walter Hill. Our clients, a young family, desired more space for guests, a home office, a yoga studio, and covered car parking. The challenge was to respect the architects’ original vision and not to interfere with the perfect cruciform plan of the house. To accomplish these goals, we converted the existing garage/workshop structure into a guest house and then designed a new, separate carport/storage building.
The new carport building shares the low-slope gable of the original Hoover structure. The post and beam structure characteristic of Hoover’s design is updated through the use of galvanized steel posts and I beams. The galvanized beams cantilever to support a sheltered walkway leading from the parking to a guest house terrace defined in relationship to the three structures surrounding it. The terrace is paved in slate with a central rain garden. Wood lattice clads the carport, providing good ventilation and letting the building glow like a lantern at night. Our guest house renovation celebrates the unique structural timber ceiling of the original garage. We replaced opaque plywood trusses with a slender cable truss structurally engineered by Webb Structural Services. This cable truss allows for a view of the timber ceiling. A wall of glass facing the courtyard replaced the original garage door. A murphy bed in the rear room enables quick conversion from guest quarters to weight room.

Created with the same level of craftsmanship as the 4-sided beams, 2-sided wooden beams were typically used as hidden support structures in barns and industrial buildings. Hand-hewn on two sides only and featuring natural tree trunk elements on opposing sides, these reclaimed beams offer an authentic glimpse of true rustic living.

New Additions to Hoover + Hill
This project is a continuation of the renovation and updating work Flavin Architects had previously completed at the 1958 Wales house, designed by architect Henry Hoover and Walter Hill. Our clients, a young family, desired more space for guests, a home office, a yoga studio, and covered car parking. The challenge was to respect the architects’ original vision and not to interfere with the perfect cruciform plan of the house. To accomplish these goals, we converted the existing garage/workshop structure into a guest house and then designed a new, separate carport/storage building.
The new carport building shares the low-slope gable of the original Hoover structure. The post and beam structure characteristic of Hoover’s design is updated through the use of galvanized steel posts and I beams. The galvanized beams cantilever to support a sheltered walkway leading from the parking to a guest house terrace defined in relationship to the three structures surrounding it. The terrace is paved in slate with a central rain garden. Wood lattice clads the carport, providing good ventilation and letting the building glow like a lantern at night. Our guest house renovation celebrates the unique structural timber ceiling of the original garage. We replaced opaque plywood trusses with a slender cable truss structurally engineered by Webb Structural Services. This cable truss allows for a view of the timber ceiling. A wall of glass facing the courtyard replaced the original garage door. A murphy bed in the rear room enables quick conversion from guest quarters to weight room.

This Sammamish outdoor living project features a custom multi‑angle deck design paired with a vaulted roof cover built for year‑round use in the Pacific Northwest. The homeowners wanted a space that felt open, architectural, and protected from Sammamish’s frequent rain and shade—while blending seamlessly with the home’s existing structure.
We designed and built a dual‑angle vaulted roof with exposed architectural elements, integrated soffits, and clean trim details to create a finished, modern look. The covered structure provides excellent weather protection while allowing natural light to filter in, making the space usable in every season.
The deck was finished with TimberTech/Azek Mahogany, a premium PVC material ideal for moisture‑heavy environments like Sammamish. This low‑maintenance decking resists rot, mold, and fading, making it a long‑lasting solution for PNW homes surrounded by trees.
Additional upgrades included:
• Smart lighting integration for evening ambiance
• Outdoor heating options for year‑round comfort
• Powder‑coated aluminum railing for a modern, open feel
• Improved waterproofing and flashing to protect the home’s exterior
• Structural enhancements to support the vaulted cover and multi‑angle layout
This project showcases how thoughtful design, premium materials, and proper construction practices can transform a shaded Sammamish backyard into a functional, beautiful outdoor living space.
Location: Sammamish, WA
Services Provided: Covered deck construction, vaulted roof design, composite/PVC decking installation, waterproofing, structural upgrades, outdoor living enhancements
Materials: TimberTech/Azek Mahogany, glulam beams, aluminum railing, integrated soffits and lighting

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

A new-build modern farmhouse included an open kitchen with views to all the first level rooms, including dining area, family room area, back mudroom and front hall entries. Rustic-styled beams provide support between first floor and loft upstairs. A 10-foot island was designed to fit between rustic support posts. The rustic alder dark stained island complements the L-shape perimeter cabinets of lighter knotty alder. Two full-sized undercounter ovens by Wolf split into single spacing, under an electric cooktop, and in the large island are useful for this busy family. Hardwood hickory floors and a vintage armoire add to the rustic decor.

This Sammamish outdoor living project features a custom multi‑angle deck design paired with a vaulted roof cover built for year‑round use in the Pacific Northwest. The homeowners wanted a space that felt open, architectural, and protected from Sammamish’s frequent rain and shade—while blending seamlessly with the home’s existing structure.
We designed and built a dual‑angle vaulted roof with exposed architectural elements, integrated soffits, and clean trim details to create a finished, modern look. The covered structure provides excellent weather protection while allowing natural light to filter in, making the space usable in every season.
The deck was finished with TimberTech/Azek Dark Hickory, a premium PVC material ideal for moisture‑heavy environments like Sammamish. This low‑maintenance decking resists rot, mold, and fading, making it a long‑lasting solution for PNW homes surrounded by trees.
Additional upgrades included:
• Smart lighting integration for evening ambiance
• Outdoor heating options for year‑round comfort
• Powder‑coated aluminum railing for a modern, open feel
• Improved waterproofing and flashing to protect the home’s exterior
• Structural enhancements to support the vaulted cover and multi‑angle layout
This project showcases how thoughtful design, premium materials, and proper construction practices can transform a shaded Sammamish backyard into a functional, beautiful outdoor living space.
Location: Sammamish, WA
Services Provided: Covered deck construction, vaulted roof design, composite/PVC decking installation, waterproofing, structural upgrades, outdoor living enhancements
Materials: TimberTech/Azek Dark Hickory, glulam beams, aluminum railing, integrated soffits and lighting

This Sammamish outdoor living project features a custom multi‑angle deck design paired with a vaulted roof cover built for year‑round use in the Pacific Northwest. The homeowners wanted a space that felt open, architectural, and protected from Sammamish’s frequent rain and shade—while blending seamlessly with the home’s existing structure.
We designed and built a dual‑angle vaulted roof with exposed architectural elements, integrated soffits, and clean trim details to create a finished, modern look. The covered structure provides excellent weather protection while allowing natural light to filter in, making the space usable in every season.
The deck was finished with TimberTech/Azek Dark Hickory, a premium PVC material ideal for moisture‑heavy environments like Sammamish. This low‑maintenance decking resists rot, mold, and fading, making it a long‑lasting solution for PNW homes surrounded by trees.
Additional upgrades included:
• Smart lighting integration for evening ambiance
• Outdoor heating options for year‑round comfort
• Powder‑coated aluminum railing for a modern, open feel
• Improved waterproofing and flashing to protect the home’s exterior
• Structural enhancements to support the vaulted cover and multi‑angle layout
This project showcases how thoughtful design, premium materials, and proper construction practices can transform a shaded Sammamish backyard into a functional, beautiful outdoor living space.
Location: Sammamish, WA
Services Provided: Covered deck construction, vaulted roof design, composite/PVC decking installation, waterproofing, structural upgrades, outdoor living enhancements
Materials: TimberTech/Azek Dark Hickory, glulam beams, aluminum railing, integrated soffits and lighting

**Project Overview**
This new construction home built next to a serene lake features a gorgeous, large-scale kitchen that also connects to a bar, home office, breakfast room and great room. The homeowners sought the warmth of traditional styling, updated for today. In addition, they wanted to incorporate unexpected touches that would add personality. Strategic use of furniture details combined with clean lines brings the traditional style forward, making the kitchen feel fresh, new and timeless.
**What Makes This Project Unique?*
Three finishes, including vintage white paint, stained cherry and textured painted gray oak cabinetry, work together beautifully to create a varied, unique space. Above the wall cabinets, glass cabinets with X mullions add interest and decorative storage. Single ovens are tucked in cabinets under a window, and a warming drawer under one perfectly matches the cabinet drawer under the other. Matching furniture-style armoires flank the wall ovens, housing the freezer and a pantry in one and custom designed large scale appliance garage with retractable doors in the other. Other furniture touches can be found on the sink cabinet and range top cabinet that help complete the look. The variety of colors and textures of the stained and painted cabinetry, custom dark finish copper hood, wood ceiling beams, glass cabinets, wood floors and sleek backsplash bring the whole look together.
**Design Challenges*
Even though the space is large, we were challenged by having to work around the two doorways, two windows and many traffic patterns that run through the kitchen. Wall space for large appliances was quickly in short supply. Because we were involved early in the project, we were able to work with the architect to expanded the kitchen footprint in order to make the layout work and get appliance placement just right. We had other architectural elements to work with that we wanted to compliment the kitchen design but also dictated what we could do with the cabinetry. The wall cabinet height was determined based on the beams in the space. The oven wall with furniture armoires was designed around the window with the lake view. The height of the oven cabinets was determined by the window. We were able to use these obstacles and challenges to design creatively and make this kitchen one of a kind.
Photo by MIke Kaskel

BrandonCPhoto
Example of a large transitional backyard deck skirting design in Baltimore with a roof extension
Example of a large transitional backyard deck skirting design in Baltimore with a roof extension

This Sammamish outdoor living project features a custom multi‑angle deck design paired with a vaulted roof cover built for year‑round use in the Pacific Northwest. The homeowners wanted a space that felt open, architectural, and protected from Sammamish’s frequent rain and shade—while blending seamlessly with the home’s existing structure.
We designed and built a dual‑angle vaulted roof with exposed architectural elements, integrated soffits, and clean trim details to create a finished, modern look. The covered structure provides excellent weather protection while allowing natural light to filter in, making the space usable in every season.
The deck was finished with TimberTech/Azek Dark Hickory, a premium PVC material ideal for moisture‑heavy environments like Sammamish. This low‑maintenance decking resists rot, mold, and fading, making it a long‑lasting solution for PNW homes surrounded by trees.
Additional upgrades included:
• Smart lighting integration for evening ambiance
• Outdoor heating options for year‑round comfort
• Powder‑coated aluminum railing for a modern, open feel
• Improved waterproofing and flashing to protect the home’s exterior
• Structural enhancements to support the vaulted cover and multi‑angle layout
This project showcases how thoughtful design, premium materials, and proper construction practices can transform a shaded Sammamish backyard into a functional, beautiful outdoor living space.
Location: Sammamish, WA
Services Provided: Covered deck construction, vaulted roof design, composite/PVC decking installation, waterproofing, structural upgrades, outdoor living enhancements
Materials: TimberTech/Azek Dark Hickory, glulam beams, aluminum railing, integrated soffits and lighting

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Free consultation for landscape design!
Peabody Landscape Group
Columbus' Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

This Sammamish outdoor living project features a custom multi‑angle deck design paired with a vaulted roof cover built for year‑round use in the Pacific Northwest. The homeowners wanted a space that felt open, architectural, and protected from Sammamish’s frequent rain and shade—while blending seamlessly with the home’s existing structure.
We designed and built a dual‑angle vaulted roof with exposed architectural elements, integrated soffits, and clean trim details to create a finished, modern look. The covered structure provides excellent weather protection while allowing natural light to filter in, making the space usable in every season.
The deck was finished with TimberTech/Azek Dark Hickory, a premium PVC material ideal for moisture‑heavy environments like Sammamish. This low‑maintenance decking resists rot, mold, and fading, making it a long‑lasting solution for PNW homes surrounded by trees.
Additional upgrades included:
• Smart lighting integration for evening ambiance
• Outdoor heating options for year‑round comfort
• Powder‑coated aluminum railing for a modern, open feel
• Improved waterproofing and flashing to protect the home’s exterior
• Structural enhancements to support the vaulted cover and multi‑angle layout
This project showcases how thoughtful design, premium materials, and proper construction practices can transform a shaded Sammamish backyard into a functional, beautiful outdoor living space.
Location: Sammamish, WA
Services Provided: Covered deck construction, vaulted roof design, composite/PVC decking installation, waterproofing, structural upgrades, outdoor living enhancements
Materials: TimberTech/Azek Dark Hickory, glulam beams, aluminum railing, integrated soffits and lighting

This Sammamish outdoor living project features a custom multi‑angle deck design paired with a vaulted roof cover built for year‑round use in the Pacific Northwest. The homeowners wanted a space that felt open, architectural, and protected from Sammamish’s frequent rain and shade—while blending seamlessly with the home’s existing structure.
We designed and built a dual‑angle vaulted roof with exposed architectural elements, integrated soffits, and clean trim details to create a finished, modern look. The covered structure provides excellent weather protection while allowing natural light to filter in, making the space usable in every season.
The deck was finished with TimberTech/Azek Dark Hickory, a premium PVC material ideal for moisture‑heavy environments like Sammamish. This low‑maintenance decking resists rot, mold, and fading, making it a long‑lasting solution for PNW homes surrounded by trees.
Additional upgrades included:
• Smart lighting integration for evening ambiance
• Outdoor heating options for year‑round comfort
• Powder‑coated aluminum railing for a modern, open feel
• Improved waterproofing and flashing to protect the home’s exterior
• Structural enhancements to support the vaulted cover and multi‑angle layout
This project showcases how thoughtful design, premium materials, and proper construction practices can transform a shaded Sammamish backyard into a functional, beautiful outdoor living space.
Location: Sammamish, WA
Services Provided: Covered deck construction, vaulted roof design, composite/PVC decking installation, waterproofing, structural upgrades, outdoor living enhancements
Materials: TimberTech/Azek Dark Hickory, glulam beams, aluminum railing, integrated soffits and lighting

Photographer: Emily Minton Redfield
Inspiration for a timeless l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Denver with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, an island, an undermount sink and paneled appliances
Inspiration for a timeless l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Denver with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, an island, an undermount sink and paneled appliances

Designed by Watershapes Consulting and built by Paradise Pools & Gardens, this stunning contemporary vanishing edge pool utilizes our HydraLux "in-floor" system to achieve maximum energy savings while keeping the pool both warm and clean while preserving and enhancing the architectural flow of the project.
The slats are Solar in polycarbonate.

This Sammamish outdoor living project features a custom multi‑angle deck design paired with a vaulted roof cover built for year‑round use in the Pacific Northwest. The homeowners wanted a space that felt open, architectural, and protected from Sammamish’s frequent rain and shade—while blending seamlessly with the home’s existing structure.
We designed and built a dual‑angle vaulted roof with exposed architectural elements, integrated soffits, and clean trim details to create a finished, modern look. The covered structure provides excellent weather protection while allowing natural light to filter in, making the space usable in every season.
The deck was finished with TimberTech/Azek Dark Hickory, a premium PVC material ideal for moisture‑heavy environments like Sammamish. This low‑maintenance decking resists rot, mold, and fading, making it a long‑lasting solution for PNW homes surrounded by trees.
Additional upgrades included:
• Smart lighting integration for evening ambiance
• Outdoor heating options for year‑round comfort
• Powder‑coated aluminum railing for a modern, open feel
• Improved waterproofing and flashing to protect the home’s exterior
• Structural enhancements to support the vaulted cover and multi‑angle layout
This project showcases how thoughtful design, premium materials, and proper construction practices can transform a shaded Sammamish backyard into a functional, beautiful outdoor living space.
Location: Sammamish, WA
Services Provided: Covered deck construction, vaulted roof design, composite/PVC decking installation, waterproofing, structural upgrades, outdoor living enhancements
Materials: TimberTech/Azek Dark Hickory, glulam beams, aluminum railing, integrated soffits and lighting

This Historical Home was built in the Columbia Country Club in 1925 and was ready for a new, modern kitchen which kept the traditional feel of the home. A previous sunroom addition created a dining room, but the original kitchen layout kept the two rooms divided. The kitchen was a small and cramped c-shape with a narrow door leading into the dining area.
The kitchen and dining room were completely opened up, creating a long, galley style, open layout which maximized the space and created a very good flow. Dimensions In Wood worked in conjuction with the client’s architect and contractor to complete this renovation.
Custom cabinets were built to use every square inch of the floorplan, with the cabinets extending all the way to the ceiling for the most storage possible. Our woodworkers even created a step stool, staining it to match the kitchen for reaching these high cabinets. The family already had a kitchen table and chairs they were happy with, so we refurbished them to match the kitchen’s new stain and paint color.
Crown molding top the cabinet boxes and extends across the ceiling where they create a coffered ceiling, highlighting the beautiful light fixtures centered on a wood medallion.
Columns were custom built to provide separation between the different sections of the kitchen, while also providing structural support.
Our master craftsmen kept the original 1925 glass cabinet doors, fitted them with modern hardware, repainted and incorporated them into new cabinet boxes. TASK LED Lighting was added to this china cabinet, highlighting the family’s decorative dishes.
Appliance Garage
On one side of the kitchen we built an appliance garage with doors that slide back into the cabinet, integrated power outlets and door activated lighting. Beside this is a small Galley Workstation for beverage and bar service which has the Galley Bar Kit perfect for sliced limes and more.
Baking Cabinet with Pocket Doors
On the opposite side, a baking cabinet was built to house a mixer and all the supplies needed for creating confections. Automatic LED lights, triggered by opening the door, create a perfect baker’s workstation. Both pocket doors slide back inside the cabinet for maximum workspace, then close to hide everything, leaving a clean, minimal kitchen devoid of clutter.
Super deep, custom drawers feature custom dividers beneath the baking cabinet. Then beneath the appliance garage another deep drawer has custom crafted produce boxes per the customer’s request.
Central to the kitchen is a walnut accent island with a granite countertop and a Stainless Steel Galley Workstation and an overhang for seating. Matching bar stools slide out of the way, under the overhang, when not in use. A color matched outlet cover hides power for the island whenever appliances are needed during preparation.
The Galley Workstation has several useful attachments like a cutting board, drying rack, colander holder, and more. Integrated into the stone countertops are a drinking water spigot, a soap dispenser, garbage disposal button and the pull out, sprayer integrated faucet.
Directly across from the conveniently positioned stainless steel sink is a Bertazzoni Italia stove with 5 burner cooktop. A custom mosaic tile backsplash makes a beautiful focal point. Then, on opposite sides of the stove, columns conceal Rev-a-Shelf pull out towers which are great for storing small items, spices, and more. All outlets on the stone covered walls also sport dual USB outlets for charging mobile devices.
Stainless Steel Whirlpool appliances throughout keep a consistent and clean look. The oven has a matching microwave above it which also works as a convection oven. Dual Whirlpool dishwashers can handle all the family’s dirty dishes.
The flooring has black, marble tile inlays surrounded by ceramic tile, which are period correct for the age of this home, while still being modern, durable and easy to clean.
Finally, just off the kitchen we also remodeled their bar and snack alcove. A small liquor cabinet, with a refrigerator and wine fridge sits opposite a snack bar and wine glass cabinets. Crown molding, granite countertops and cabinets were all customized to match this space with the rest of the stunning kitchen.
Dimensions In Wood is more than 40 years of custom cabinets. We always have been, but we want YOU to know just how much more there is to our Dimensions.
The Dimensions we cover are endless: custom cabinets, quality water, appliances, countertops, wooden beams, Marvin windows, and more. We can handle every aspect of your kitchen, bathroom or home remodel.

This proposal is for a new two-story home on the vacant heavily wooded lot with an existing 150-foot-long driveway lined by several beautiful oak trees culminating in a behemoth 43-inch oak tree where the driveway meets the main lot. The far end of the driveway terminates in a grove of three 43/40/43-inch redwoods and at the very center of the vacant lot stands a gargantuan V-twin 59-inch redwood tree paired with a “small” 29-inch redwood tree. The owners want to build a beautiful contemporary-styled home for their family that fully enjoys and embraces the mature trees on their cozy 65-foot by 100-foot lot.
As with all small, constrained lots, this project’s site design started first with meeting the relatively large parking and car maneuvering requirements. Menlo Park’s Department of Transportation typically requires side-facing garages to have 24-feet of backup space. So that they could give the largest feature redwood tree on site an added four feet (50%) of clearance outside of its critical root zone, the owners agreed to install a vehicle turntable at the end of their driveway to eliminate the extra four feet of space needed to back up and turnaround. This allowed them to pull their garage forward an additional four feet towards the front property line on the panhandle side, drastically reducing the rest of the home’s impact on the gargantuan V-Twin paired redwood tree at the center of the lot.
One of the owners has mobility issues, and accordingly, they first sought to design a one-story floor plan that incorporated all their family’s needs including plenty of covered patio and deck space to enjoy our fantastic California weather. But that single-story footprint spread too far into the critical root zones of several of the redwood trees on site, even despite the use of the vehicle turntable. During my interview process with the owners, they made it clear to me that one of their primary concerns is ensuring that the largest trees on site would thrive and become features of their new home after construction is complete. The single-story designs that removed the grove of three huge redwood trees were non-starters, as was the skimpy 5x10 master bath I designed when trying to squeeze the whole house program into an overly compromised single-story design. It was therefore deemed necessary to go with a two-story design despite the owner’s mobility issues. This two-story design has a much more compact ground floor footprint and has no bedrooms downstairs, other than the detached ADU. The owners must give up the floor area and incur the costs to install a residential elevator to access their upstairs master suite.
Our ground floor footprint is smaller due to the two-story design decision, and our foundation is pulled away from the trees thanks to the vehicle turntable. Yet, a tiny portion of the home’s ground floor footprint still encroaches into the critical root zones of the largest 59” redwood tree. Therefore, as outlined in the Arborist Report prepared by Aesculus Arboricultural Consulting, the structural engineers are incorporating an array of drilled piers and shallow-grade beams for the main home’s foundation and deck area nearest the redwood’s critical root zone. This drilled piers and grade beam foundation is a type of “bridging” foundation as outlined in Aesculus’ report to preserve the health of these trees that the property was designed around. The rest of the foundation will be constructed as an insulated slab-on-grade foundation to minimize the number of steps and ramps needed for the owners to enjoy their home and patio areas.
Despite the owner’s desire to keep as many trees as possible on site, and despite the smaller ground floor footprint and the advantage of the vehicle turntable, the need for a 20x20-foot garage and 20x20/25-foot guest parking space on our panhandle lot requires the removal of two heritage trees in the required driveway, a 16” coast redwood, and a 17” coast redwood. An alternate design, such as swapping the garage and guest parking locations north-to-south, still requires the removal of these two trees for vehicle maneuvering but has the added disadvantage of cutting off the home’s sightlines to the behemoth 43” oak tree just outside the currently proposed front patio space and living room. Jim Redman of Elements Landscape is proposing 13 new trees be planted on site to replace the lost value of these two heritage coast redwood trees.
This contemporary architectural design features clean lines, and an abundance of full-height windows and large skylights to best take in the immense trees on site. To blend in with the forest-like setting, the home boasts a mix of rich textures and features a color palette of natural wood tones contrasted with dark blue and black. Once through the new steel gate at the street and down the 150-foot tree-lined driveway, a large covered front patio becomes visible past the neighbor’s detached accessory structure. The covered patio is just across the driveway from the beautiful 43” behemoth coast live oak. The single plane of the covered patio roof is delicately supported by a pair of steel posts in a “V-twin” configuration much like the largest redwood trees that tower over the center of the lot and will still be visible above the new two-story home, even from the front yard. The patio is covered in a dark-colored standing seam roof, with steel C-channel fascias, and tongue-and-groove wood ceiling planks on the underside. Generously sized skylights on the patio roof and inside the living area allow for impressive views of the amazing oak canopy as well as precious natural light.
Supporting the sloped covered patio on the other side is the two-car garage with a secondary bedroom suite stacked above the garage. This two-story volume is to be clad in vertical clear-coated redwood siding, to tie in with the grove of three 43-inch redwood trees just beyond. The garage door, and the bank of windows for Bedroom#2 above feature a steel fascia eyebrow header feature to provide shade and overhang protection, as we are not proposing a large overhang at this “redwood trunk”. The garage and bedroom volume are pulled 16 feet away from the side property line, instead of the minimum required setback of 6’-6”, thus leaving plenty of room for the redwood grove and existing mature pear tree to continue to thrive. This existing mature green screen in this 16-foot-wide side yard is a feature worth soaking in, which is why tall windows with low sill heights are proposed for both the stairs and the upstairs hallway. Though it may be infrequent to approve side-facing 2nd floor windows with sill heights as low as what we’re proposing, we are confident that the mature green screen and the over 16-foot-wide side yard are sufficient to provide for the continued privacy of our neighbor’s rear yard space, especially considering theses windows are in walkway zones.
The covered patio at the front entry is also bound by the 10-foot-tall living room. The great room is clad in a dark blue brick veneer, which wraps around all three sides of the living room. Upon entering the home from the covered patio, you are immediately greeted with one of the most impressive features of the home’s design: a 10-foot-tall by 24-foot-wide set of sliding glass doors. From the entry, this huge opening gives merely an initial glimpse of the massive trunks of the gargantuan V-twin redwoods sitting at the center of the lot. All three sliding glass panels open directly out into the smaller partially covered deck in the rear. This roof overhang element matches the design of the front patio with a steel C-channel fascia and a large skylight. But the rear deck’s roof element is set flat at a ten-foot ceiling height so that the living room’s ceiling seems to float above and out beyond the expanse of full-height sliding doors, thus creating an indoor-outdoor living space that will feel much larger than the home’s actual footprint. This rear covered deck is smaller than the patio in the front and also has a mix of solid and open-slatted roofing to allow for more solar access for the relatively small amount of open sky available.
The downstairs living room is open to the dining and kitchen areas, as well as the stair-and-elevator tower beyond. The stair tower is very open and glassy, and the stairs wind up and around the redwood-clad elevator tower. From certain perspectives in the 16-foot-wide side yard, it will almost seem as if the grove of three redwoods has a fourth tree that the house and the stairs were carefully built around. Other than the 3-foot-wide windows, the exterior walls of the stair tower, downstairs utility spaces, and Bedroom#3 above are finished in cement plaster, painted dark blue and black. The sloped roof over the stair-and-elevator tower continues cleanly over the area of upstairs Bedroom#3. This roof level is set by the side daylight plane and only yields an inside wall height of just under 6 feet in height. The owners are satisfied that the rest of this upstairs room has a nice vaulted ceiling to make up for the one short wall under the daylight plane.
The rest of the ground floor adjacent to the stair tower consists of a small utility wing containing a half-bath, laundry, storage area, and an exterior alcove for the electric heat pump HVAC unit. This short wing also gives more accessible access to the rear yard deck, as well as a backdrop for an outdoor kitchen. The bright white stone backsplash for the outdoor kitchen provides contrast to the otherwise consistent use of cement plaster painted dark blue and black for the two-story wing closest to the detached ADU. Though Bedroom#3 is stacked directly above this small wing, it is relatively short to comply with the side daylight plane of this narrow lot. Still, to further help break up the scale of this wall, another steel fascia eyebrow element is set about 8 feet above the rear deck.
The master suite sits centered above the ten-foot-tall great room. The master bedroom and its balcony, as well as the master bathtub area, have a commanding view of the central redwood trees and their impressive canopy, though the balcony is mostly recessed and should pose no privacy concerns to the neighbor’s rear yards. The master balcony parapet is clad in the same brick veneer continuing up from the living room below. A dark-painted metal rail makes up the rest of the open guardrail height. The entire length of the master balcony is comprised of 9-foot-tall sliding glass doors, but the area above the doors, as well as the area below the master bathroom windows, is accented with more redwood siding. The remainder of the master suite bathroom and walk-in closet is finished in cement plaster painted dark blue. The master bathroom has one side yard-facing window but will be frosted glass for both the owner’s and the neighbor’s privacy.
The 2nd floor is capped under a simple gable roof design with one roof ridge and varying eave and rake overhangs depending on the 2nd-floor layout and solar orientation. Since these roof planes are quite difficult to see in the middle of the heavily wooded panhandle lot, we are proposing a white TPO roofing for these two upper roof planes as a more sustainable choice compared to more dark-colored roofing like the covered patios and detached ADU.
The owners also wish to build a detached 292-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an office and guest suite. For the ADU foundation to be situated outside the central redwood tree’s critical root zone, this relatively tiny structure takes advantage of the narrower 4-foot side and rear setbacks allowed for ADUs smaller than 800 square feet. The small L-shaped detached ADU frames a wonderful quasi-courtyard around the gargantuan V-twin redwoods at the center of the lot. The ADU shares a matching material palette consisting of cement plaster painted blue and black, vertical redwood siding and soffits, and thin brick veneer. The ADU also features large full-height windows. The only difference between the main home and the ADU material palette is that the roofing will be a dark composition shingle roofing since it will be quite visible from the master balcony.
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